Palladium Nanoparticles in Catalytic Processes

Palladium nanoparticles occupy a central role in heterogeneous catalysis owing to their high surface‐to‐volume ratio, tunable electronic properties and versatile interactions with reactants. Their small size and morphology govern the distribution of low‐coordination sites, which in turn influence adsorption energies, activation barriers and reaction pathways. Subsurface species—hydrides, oxides or carbides—modify the electronic structure of the metal lattice, enabling precise control over hydrogenation, oxidation and carbon–carbon coupling reactions. Advances in synthetic methods allow tailoring of particle size, shape and support interactions to optimise activity and selectivity. Globally, these catalysts underpin greener processes for fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and renewable feedstocks, while offering routes to reduce energy consumption, enhance atom economy and minimise by-product formation. The integration of operando spectroscopies and atomistic simulations has delivered unprecedented insight into dynamic structural evolution under working conditions, guiding rational catalyst design for sustainable chemistry.

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Palladium Nanoparticles in Catalytic Processes publication trend

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Technical terms

Quick scanning X-ray absorption spectroscopy (QEXAFS): A time‐resolved XAS technique that rapidly acquires spectra to follow dynamic structural changes in catalysts under reaction conditions.

Core–shell structure: A nanoparticle architecture in which a metallic core is enveloped by a shell of differing composition, such as palladium oxide on palladium metal.

Palladium hydride (PdHx): A phase formed when hydrogen atoms occupy subsurface sites in palladium nanoparticles, influencing catalytic hydrogenation pathways.

Interstitial carbide: A phase where carbon atoms reside in the lattice interstices of palladium nanoparticles, altering electronic and catalytic properties.

Operando spectroscopy: Characterisation performed under actual catalytic reaction conditions to correlate structure and performance in real time.

References

1. Preparation, Quantification, and Reaction of Pd Hydrides on Pd/Al2O3 in Liquid Environment. ACS Catalysis (2023).
2. Restructuring of Palladium Nanoparticles during Oxidation by Molecular Oxygen. Small (2024).
3. Structural selectivity of supported Pd nanoparticles: selective ethanol ammoxidation to acetonitrile. EES Catalysis (2024).